James Gary Sheets

In this position, James Sheets was accountable for strategy, growth, quality, safety, financial performance, and patient and caregiver experience. He created a regional vision centered on safety and quality, engaged caregivers, and stewardship. His multi-year operational improvement plan generated financial gains in its first year while patient satisfaction remained steady. Quality and safety scores also rose, and the region introduced its health plan into Colorado through a partnership with a leading local system.

Jim Sheets's career included eighteen years of combined service with the same health system. As a chief operating officer, he oversaw acute operations across 21 hospitals in Utah and Idaho, as well as surgery centers, telehealth, air ambulance, and outreach services. The region reached the top tier of national quality rankings and exceeded financial targets. He established an ambulatory surgery center division, opened a community hospital, developed plans to modernize flagship facilities, and integrated an acquired air medical company into an existing flight operation.

Earlier, James directed telehealth and outreach services across eight states, consolidating virtual care into one modern hub and growing volume year after year. During the pandemic, his team scaled video visits by a factor of a thousand and expanded virtual programs in behavioral health, remote monitoring, oncology, and other areas. He also served as a hospital CEO and Administrator and later as a Group President responsible for ten hospitals.

James Gary Sheets holds two master's degrees and a bachelor's degree in business management, earned cum laude. He taught future health care executives for nearly a decade, served on numerous boards, raised millions of dollars for health care causes, and volunteered in community programs. He and his wife, a kindergarten teacher, raised five children, and he enjoys golfing, skiing, reading, backpacking, and college football.